Tyler Coyle has long been one of UConn's most promising players. Now, he's hoping to harness his skills and become a dependable anchor of the Huskies’ defense. (John Woike / Hartford Courant)

Midway through UConn’s practice Thursday, quarterback Marvin Washington lofted a deep pass down the left sideline in the direction of a streaking receiver and the cornerback guarding him. As the pass dropped toward the two players, however, a third body burst in front of them, leaped and snagged the ball from the air. It was safety Tyler Coyle, who promptly sped down the sideline for an agile 40-yard interception return.

But as Coyle’s teammates celebrated what looked like the play of the day, Huskies head coach Randy Edsall called over the safety, looking displeased.

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“[He said] I could just get there a little quicker,” Coyle said after practice. “Don’t make it a 50-50 ball, make sure I go get it.”

Was Coyle annoyed to face criticism even after making a big play?

“Nah, nah,” he said. “I’ve just got to do what he says and I’ll succeed.”

Coyle has long been one of UConn’s most promising players, an uber-athletic safety who hits hard, runs fast and leaps high. But three years into his college career, the fourth-year junior from Windsor High has yet to fully harness his skills and become a dependable anchor of the Huskies’ defense.

It seemed like a good sign, therefore, when new defensive coordinator Lou Spanos singled out Coyle last week as a player who had impressed him so far this spring.

“TC is showing up,” Spanos said. “He’s doing a good job.”

Coyle said he has taken relatively quickly to Spanos’s system this spring. He said he has focused lately on “being more locked in,” while also trying to help mentor young players who get down on themselves too quickly.

“I’ve been in that position,” he said, “so I’ve just got to keep them up and continue to be a leader.”

Travis Jones loses weight, gains speed

No UConn player seemed to transform physically between November and February as much as defensive tackle Travis Jones. After playing last season at 350 pounds, the sophomore from New Haven showed up at spring practice with considerably less girth. On Thursday, he said he’s down to 328, thanks to a combination of diet and conditioning.

Since Jones arrived in Storrs last summer, coaches have said he’s surprisingly agile for a player of his size. Now, he said, he feels quicker than ever.

Jones appeared in all 12 games for UConn as a freshman last fall, recording 46 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss.

Uguak, Pace, others sidelined with injuries

Edsall did not speak at length to the media Thursday because, in his words, “I’ve got nothing to say.”

He did, however, offer some injury updates: Defensive ends Lwal Uguak and Jonathan Pace both broke bones in their feet and will miss the rest of spring practice, while linebacker Terrence Ganyi will undergo surgery on a torn labrum. Tight end Donovan Williams has a concussion, Edsall said, but will return to practice next week.